There is so much hype around double cleansing nowadays with so many questions left unanswered. We’re here to help answer all your questions about double cleansing your face so you can decide whether or not it is right for you! SKKN by Kim’s efficacious cleansing formula offers a clean, purified feel of the skin, gently dissolving makeup, water-resistant residues, excess oils and impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils.
Ready to start whisking away impurities and obtain radiant, glowing skin? Double cleansing is the face cleansing method for you. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Double Cleansing?
Double cleansing is exactly what it sounds like - a skincare technique of using two different face cleansers, cleansing the skin twice. There are no rules set in stone around double cleansing, but typically it involves an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser.
The oil cleanser is used to break down and remove debris, makeup, sunscreen, and whatever else might end up on the surface of your skin throughout the day. In general, this initial cleanse is used to take off your makeup and other products that may accumulate on your skin.
The second step, cleansing with a water-based cleanser, is to remove any remaining water based impurities and residue that may end up on the skin such as sweat and dirt. Incorporating both oil-based and water-based cleansers into your skincare routine promises to thoroughly remove any impurities, leaving your skin feeling clean and balanced while enhancing the absorption of your post-cleanse skincare products.
Benefits of Double Cleansing
This popular cleansing method offers many benefits contributing to healthier, radiant looking skin. By effectively removing both types of impurities that accumulate on the skin throughout the day, double cleansing helps prevent clogged pores, breakouts, and dullness, leaving you with a clear, vibrant complexion.
Double cleansing also helps your toners, serums, eye and face creams and all other products in your lineup work harder by clearing the skin of impurities, allowing active ingredients in your products to maximize their absorption and effectiveness.
Are there any cons to double cleansing? Our answer is no, the thorough cleansing that double cleansing promotes helps maintain the skin’s natural balance of essential oils while simultaneously minimizing the risk of irritation and sensitivity. With consistent use, double cleansing leads to smoother, refined skin texture, improved hydration and a healthy, youthful glow.
If you're curious about more ways to improve your skin texture, check out Kim’s article on the 4 Ways to Get Rid of Textured Skin.
How to Double Cleanse
If you’re ready to try double cleansing out yourself, follow these steps to achieve balances, healthy skin:
Step 1: The Oil-Based Cleanser
Start with clean hands and a dry face. Apply the oil-based cleanser to your face, ` massaging it gently in circular motions to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and other oil-based impurities. Make sure you pay extra attention to areas prone to buildup - forehead, nose, and chin.
After a minute or two, rinse off the oil-based cleanser with lukewarm water.
Step 2: The Water-Based Cleanser
Apply the water-based cleanser on damp skin and gently massage into your face. Use upward motions working it into a lather to ensure it effectively removes remaining residue and water-based impurities. Ensure coverage of the full face.
After a minute or two, rinse off the water-based cleanser with lukewarm water and pat your skin dry with a clean towel.
Follow your double cleanse with your typical skincare routine.
The Best Products for Double Cleansing
There are countless double cleansing products out there that work great at getting rid of impurities that end up on your face throughout the day. For oil-based cleansers, the best product for you depends on your skin type. Those with dry skin should look for ingredients that boost hydration and strengthen the skin barrier such as plant oils and ceramides. If you have oily skin, look for formulas based on face oils that are rich in essential fatty acids and aid in sebum regulation.
For water-based cleansers, SKKN by KIM’s Purifying Foaming Cleanser is proven to gently dissolve makeup, water-resistant residues, unwanted oils and impurities without stripping the skin. Our cleanser has been clinically proven to remove 84% of pollutants from the skin, leaving the complexion hydrated up to 2 hours after cleansing.
When Should You Double Cleanse Your Skin?
As for the time of day you should double cleanse - double cleansing is the most beneficial when done at the end of the day while taking off your makeup. Cleansing should always be the first step in your skincare routine, no matter the amount of products that follow it.
It’s particularly important to double cleanse in the evening if you wear heavy makeup, as a single cleanse may not be sufficient to remove all traces of makeup. Wondering how often you should double cleanse? While it is mainly recommended as a nighttime ritual to set up a clean canvas for overnight skin repair and cell regeneration, it can also be beneficial in the morning if you have oily or acne prone skin as it helps remove excess oils and other impurities that build up overnight.
Lastly, is double cleansing necessary? While ultimately, if and when you double cleanse and the frequency you do it at is up to you, but incorporating it into your skincare routine, especially in the evening helps maintain a clean, healthy, and radiant complexion.